Legendary folk singer Don McLean may have sung about the day the music died, but trader John Clarke hopes people will always share his love of vinyl.

The 63-year-old runs The Collector’s Lot in Gravesend Borough Market, where his stall is decked with LPs, singles, 12in records and picture discs of all music genres.

There was a time when every town centre boasted independent retailers like Mr Clarke, as well as chain stores such as HMV and Our Price.

But slowly they lost their sheen as people changed their shopping habits from vinyl to CD to downloads, and from High Street to online.

However, Saturday sees the return of national Record Store Day which will hopefully strike a chord with music lovers of all ages.

Started in the US in 2007 and the UK the following year, it celebrates the music industry’s independent retailers.

Mr Clarke only set up his stall approximately three months ago using his own vast collection.

He said: “I love vinyl, especially the early stuff. I’m a big fan of Elvis and Billy Fury stuff.

“I used to buy a collection myself just for a few that I wanted but now probably have more than a million records in the loft.

“But I’ve got to sell the stuff as I’m moving from my house to a flat. I will still get a lot in the spare bedroom but the excess will come down here.”

Mr Clarke said his stall attracted customers of all ages, although the younger clientele seem to be attracted by the covers rather than the discs inside.

Despite setting up his stall to sell some of his own vinyl, Mr Clarke cannot resist the temptation of buying new stock.

“I’m trying not to but I do,” he said. “I bought some off a lady the other week.

“I had to clean a lot of them and there was a copy of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland.

“In mint condition it could be worth up to £1,000 – but unfortunately it wasn’t.”

Mr Clarke’s own love of music started as a child.

“My mum used to work in a greasy spoon past the Clock Tower and I would come home from school and sit in there by the jukebox with all the Teddy Boys,” he said. “I just loved the music.”